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Author Topic: Shack Setup: How far from your table front edge to rig front panel controls?  (Read 731 times)

K4BDA

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  • Posts: 54

I'm trying to setup my HF shack after being off HF for a long time.
Right now I have a table with the equipment front panels 24 inches back from the front edge of the table/desk.
That is somewhat of a long reach.
In your shack, how far back are the equipment front panels from the front edge of your desk/table?
Thanks,
K4BDA
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WA9AFM

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I've set mine for 'arm's reach'.
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KF4HR

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This dimension really depends on the equipment you use (or plan to eventually use), and also how you use your equipment.  Consider the table depth difference required to comfortably reach a FT-818 or IC-7300, vs say an ICOM-7851 or FT-9000, or large vintage equipment or power amplifiers. 

Also if you're the type that mostly parks your equipment on one or a couple frequencies, reach distance isn't nearly as important compared to a situation where you need to reach your equipment often.  Personally I suggest 30 to 36 inch table depth.  With this depth, if your reach is too far you can always move your equipment further forward, but if the table depth is not deep enough, that can make for little or no arm/elbow support and uncomfortable operating.   
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G4AON

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My transceiver(s) and amp are 10 inches back from the front of the desk. This seems about right to me, both in terms of using the radio/amp and having a computer keyboard in front of the radio with a set of Morse paddles to the right of the keyboard.

My problem is my desk is up against a wall and access to the rear panel of equipment is not easy.

In my original job as a sparks on a ship, the receiver was on the left at an angle, completely clear desk space in front, pump handle Morse key screwed to the desk on the right and the transmitter in a rack to the right of the operating position. The microphone was on a boom.

73 Dave
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NN4RH

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12.573 inches exactly
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N6XJP

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No way Ron…..mine is all set at 12.572898 inches exactly.  Of course, temperature variations could affect that.  I weep for the future.
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N2SR

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0.0001257406720573945612520577 inches from the edge

but the desktop is 3.14159265359 inches deep.

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G8FXC

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My rigs are quite a long way back because I need the space in front of them for the keyboard and mice (multiple) that I actually use to operate the radios.

Martin G8FXC
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K1KIM

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Shack #1    20 inch deep table against the wall. All equipment 2-5" back from front edge. My
                  large office desk is in front with a swivel desk chair in between. Work-Play-Work-Play. 
                  ;D

Shack #2    36 inch deep table against the wall. All equipment except the PS's 3" back from front
                  edge.

Mice live in a 8" square !
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So Many Toys.......So Little Time!

K4PIH

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  • Posts: 117

I'm trying to setup my HF shack after being off HF for a long time.
Right now I have a table with the equipment front panels 24 inches back from the front edge of the table/desk.
That is somewhat of a long reach.
In your shack, how far back are the equipment front panels from the front edge of your desk/table?
Thanks,
K4BDA

I set mine 14 - 16 inches from the front edge. That way the edge hits about 1" before my elbow.
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K1VSK

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  • Posts: 1947

Only two real considerations
 What is comfortable to you to reach/tune the VFO and
 Enough room to comfortably rest your arm while operating CW.

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NA4M

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Table edge about 11 inches back from front of rig.   I use 2 old office conference tables in an "L" shape to provide walk-behind access to rig and some of the other station components for ease of access to cabling. 

Computer monitor immediately to the right of transceiver and about same distance from edge.  Use a compact keyboard to save space.

I notice some installing their transceiver elevated above table top on a shelf - but that seems to me to make using rig controls uncomfortable and not very ergonomic.
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K4GTE

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10 inches, but I wish I had more.
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N8NK

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    • N8NK QRP

10 inches, but I wish I had more.
Hahaha.. this had to be said.
My rig is on an angle on my left.. L hand corner of rig ~6" whilst R hand corner is ~12 or 13".
Rig to the left, laptop to my right- paddles, J-38 and homebrew mem keyer straight away, mate.
dit dit now you're it
Chuck
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AA4PB

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I have a commercial (military surplus) rack-mount console. The front edge is 22 inches from the equipment.
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Bob  AA4PB
Garrisonville, VA
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